PAWS Of Greenwich Gets P&Z Approval For New Business

GREENWICH, CT — The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a request for a change of use at 1340 E. Putnam Ave. so that PAWS of Greenwich can establish a dog grooming, daycare, training and board facility with the sale of related pet products.

The space, located in the LB Zone, has been vacant for about two years, noted attorney Chip Haslun, who represented owners Jessica DelGuercio and Brian Levinson before the commission. It's located next to a dry cleaning business and Curry & Hurry restaurant.

"I think this is a huge need for the community. We have a lot of COVID puppies as I like to say, and having well trained dogs in our town is very important. We have a lot of dogs and we don't have a really great dog park. We need socialialization for animals," DelGuercio told the commission. "This gives our dogs an opportunity to connect with fellow canines to be well trained and learn manners. I think that's something all of us can agree is a good aspect for our community."

The commission had questions revolving around the limited number of 12 parking spaces for the businesses at 1340 E. Putnam Ave., and the potential for traffic issues and high volume during certain times throughout the day.

Haslun noted that drop-off and pick-up for dogs will run smoothly.

"We think it's going to work well because they have a fob system plan whereby the dog would check in with this fob and will have scheduled drop-off times with people by using a mobile application," Haslun said. "They plan to be able to drop off a dog or pick up a dog in 2-3 minutes of arriving on site initially, and as the customers get more acquainted with the system, they think they can bring it down to a minute or a minute-and-a-half or so to actually have the exchange of the dog with its owner. They also provide pick-up, and they anticipate about half of their clients will want to use those services rather than dropping off the dog. They'd have the dog picked up instead and delivered back at the end of the day."

Haslun said there is flexibility with this type of use in that if there is a problem with car back-up or people not being able to find a space, plans can be adjusted by scheduling drop-off times for each particular owner.

"There are adjustments that can be made if the commission finds that there are complaints or issues," Haslun said.

The commission unanimously voted to approve the change of use for the former retail space, noting that the facility will not exceed the maximum of 45 dogs at any one time. PAWS of Greenwich will provide one employee for 10 dogs on site -- approximately five staff. Business hours shall be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and dog drop-off between 7-9 a.m. and pick-up between 5-7 p.m.

Overnight stays will be limited to six dogs, and an employee should be on site at all times during boarding stays.

Additionally, grooming services will be by appointment only. The applicant shall provide a curbside pick-up service managed through a proprietary mobile device application.

Prior to obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy, the applicant will provide a copy of the state license required by the Department of Agriculture. Six months after opening, Planning and Zoning staff will evaluate if the parking procedures outlined are working as intended. If not working as intended, the applicant will propose actions to mitigate parking, drop-off, and pick-up difficulties.

Commission Chair Margarita Alban noted that if there is any change of use in the space, the applicant will come before the commission automatically. If any tennant in the building changes, the owner would come to P&Z staff for administrative review.

"There are only 12 parking spaces. That's what we're worried about. If Curry & Hurry or the dry cleaner become something else, you could have a problem," she said.

Failure to come in for review would result in a site plan violation, noted Planning and Zoning Director Katie DeLuca.

For more information on PAWS of Greenwich, click here.